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MCDD manages four drainage districts along the Columbia River, which include:
COLLECTIVELY, THE FOUR DISTRICTS REDUCE FLOOD RISK FOR COMMUNITIES IN PORTLAND, GRESHAM, FAIRVIEW AND TROUTDALE
Icon Acres
13000
Acres Protected
12
Pump Stations
Icon Levee
27
Miles of Levee
Icon Landowners
7500
Residents
Icon Rivers
45
Miles of Sloughs, Canals, and Culverts
59000
Jobs
In 2019, the Oregon Legislature created a New district to modernize the management of these flood control systems

The Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (the “UFSWQD”) will ultimately replace the four Drainage Districts that manage the system today (PEN1, PEN2, MCDD, SDIC) and help to establish a safer, more modern and sustainable way to manage flood safety along the Columbia River in the Portland metro region.

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ABOUT US

The Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD) helps protect lives and property from flooding by operating and maintaining flood management systems for nearly 13,000 acres of land along the Columbia Slough and the lower Columbia River. We manage and maintain flood control systems such as levees, pump stations, and flow control structures that reduce flood risk for residential communities and vital public infrastructure such as the Portland International Airport, sections of I-5, I-205, and I-84, and Oregon’s second largest supply of drinking water.

CURRENT RIVER CONDITIONS
vancouver gage – National Weather Service
MCDD FLOOD CATEGORIES

During high water and heavy rain events, the Districts implement emergency action plans to keep levees and facilities functioning to protect life, property, and the environment.  MCDD uses the National Weather Service (NWS) Vancouver Gage on the Columbia River (pictured left) to make flood emergency related decisions.

Our emergency response categories are divided into four levels:

2024 Ballot Measure

The Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District has referred a measure to voters in the District at the May 21, 2024 Primary Election. Download the proposed ballot title below.

Download Proposed Ballot Title
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